Hayden Hackney in action for Everton
Hayden Hackney in action for Everton
The 24-year-old hasn't quite hit the ground running at Everton following his summer move from Middlesbrough.
Making the leap from the Championship always threatened to require patience with the ex-England youth international.
He has played a part in all five of the Toffees' Premier League games this season, but has started just the one of them.
But the 2025-26 Championship Player of the Year is still expected to be a big player for Everton over the coming years.
At Middlesbrough, Hackney was more than just a big player, as he left the Riverside Stadium having cemented himself as a Teesside hero.
Why Hayden Hackney will be back at Middlesbrough on Sunday
Aiming to make their long-awaited return to the Premier League this season, Middlesbrough are one of the biggest clubs outside the top flight.
They're also one of the oldest, as the Smoggies are celebrating their 150th anniversary this season.
One of the ways they're marking this milestone is by hosting a legacy game at the Riverside on Sunday.
A long list of Middlesbrough legends will be playing in front of a 30,000-plus crowd, and Hackney will be there.
Hayden's back for the Legacy Game 😍
The latest addition to our guest list for Sunday is our homegrown midfielder, who will be among those introduced to the crowd at half-time 👊 pic.twitter.com/s176ZDi0ob
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) October 2, 2026
Announced by Middlesbrough on social media on Friday, Hackney will be introduced to supporters at half time.
So fear not Evertonians, he won't be lacing up his boots and risking injury this weekend, as his return to the North East is simply a symbolic one.
But just how much does Hackney mean to Middlesbrough, and how can Everton fans possibly get a glimpse of him?
How Everton fans can watch Middlesbrough's legacy game
Signed by Middlesbrough at Under-10 level after being spotted playing for hometown side Redcar Town, Hackney lived the dream of every Boro fan.
Rising from academy prospect to the best player in the Championship, the boyhood Boro fan played 154 times for the Smoggies.
He scored some memorable goals and even captained the side on numerous occasions, and Teesside was hurting at the news of his Everton move.
Hackney even raced back to fitness in time to play a part in last season's play-off final, which ended in a crushing last-minute defeat to Hull City.
Perhaps Middlesbrough's finest central midfielder outside of their Premier League era in modern times, the Riverside faithful will be delighted to see him return.